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If You’re Not Learning, You Should Be Leaving

When you learn on the job you are far more likely to love your job. Today, your capacity to learn is more valuable than what you already know. So, congratulations on your thirst for knowledge, but if it isn’t being satisfied at work, something has to change.

Photo by Randy Laybourne

You’re no longer in school, and many jobs aren’t about learning – they’re about earning a living. But the best jobs allow you to grow professionally, and good employers make sure that good employees get even better. But remember: No matter what your situation is, you’ll always have to take initiative in some way.

Does your job bore you?Do you see things to work on that interest you more than what you already do? Boredom is a recipe for disaster at work. It saps motivation to work hard and face challenges. We fight harder for what we care about.

Are there people to learn from......or are you the smartest and most curious person in the room? Hairdressing is one of the few trades that follow a centuries-old model of apprenticeship where aspirants learn alongside master craftspeople. Where’s your master?

You might be wasting time and energy trying to make the best of an iffy situation, but before you prepare your resignation speech, figure out why your learning curve is so flat.

Is it the Company?Education should be near the top of any salon’s priorities for stylists. If you haven’t already, connect with your manager to discuss career growth, and what educational opportunities might exist. Also, get a sense of how – and whether – colleagues have progressed.

Is it Your Manager?A good manager is invested in your goals and finds ways to support them. If that’s not happening, that’s a problem. But if you sense an opening, have a candid conversation about your plateau. Ask for weekly one-on-one meetings: “I’d love to be able to bounce ideas off you and keep you updated on what I’m working on and give you an opportunity to give me feedback.”

Is it You?If you have been offered the tools and support you need to learn and grow, and you still feel unchallenged or no longer excited, maybe it’s not the job at all. Sometimes, the skills we are missing to be successful are not the things we are able or willing to develop. If this rings true for you, look for a job where you want to invest the time and energy in your own development – and where you are motivated to make the effort to be exceptional.